Ramp and adjustable ramp-support.



5 BEEF- Patented Apr. 22, 1919. I

my wil n n I W 25 flaw/ agy,

W. B. MURRAY.

RAMP AND ADJUSTABLE RAMP SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, l6, 1.9M.

witnesses ran @FFIQ.

WILLIAM B. MURRAY, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MILLER TRAIN CONTROL CORPORATION, OF STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, A CORPGRATION 0F VIRGINIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

Application filed March 16, 1914. Serial N 0. 824,985.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. MURRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Danville, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ramps and Adjustable Ramp-Supports, of which the following is a specification: j

My invention relates to improvements in ramps adapted for use in connection with train control systems, embodying mechanically operated and electrically controlled train stopping apparatus or mechanically operated and electrically controlled'signaling apparatus or both, and also to adjust able means for holding the ramp or sections thereof in the proper vertical position or positions. c

An important object of the invention is to provide a ramp of the above mentioned character, formed of a plurality of ramp-sections of the suitable length and having the suitable inclination to properly mechanically operate the electrically controlled train control apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide vertical adjustable or extensible sup ports, for holding the ramp or sections thereof, in adjustment in precisely the' desired position, whereby the same will assume the proper angular position, such supports being strong, durable, simple in f construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantages of themvention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a ramp and sup ports therefor, embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation 'of the same,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the adjustable supports, showing the same in use, 7

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and,

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on line 5-5 ofFig.3. i

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates trafiic rails, secured in place upon cross ties 11 by means of spikes or the like, as is customary. Arranged preferably eX-teriorly of and near one of the trailic rails 10 is a ramp, designated as a whole by the numeral 12. This ramp, as a whole, is curved longitudinally upwardly in a vertical plane, and its entire length is preferably one hundred and eighty feet, with a-total rise of preferably three inches from either of its free ends to its highest point or crest thereof. The

ramp 12 comprises elevating and lowering ramp-sections 13 and 14, the ramp-section18 being preferably ninety feet long and the ramp-section 14 preferably sixty feet long. At their outer ends, the ramp-sections 18 and 14 have short dead ramp sections 15, connected therewith and insulated therefrom, as shown at 16. These dead ramp-sections are preferably seven and one-half feet long and never have electrical connection with a source of current. Arranged between the in her ends of the ramp-sections 13 and 14 is an intermediate or crest dead ramp-section 17 which is preferably fifteen feet long and never has electrical connection with a source of current. This intermediate dead rampsection is preferably horizontally arranged,

with its opposite ends contiguous with and insulated from the inner ends of the rampsections 13 and 14, as shown at 18. It is thus seen that the highest point or crest of the ramp occurs at the ends of the intermediate dead ramp 17 or throughout its entire length.

The ramp or ramp-sections thereof are supported and held in place by vertically adjustable or longitudinally extensible supports 19, which are preferably identical, one of them being shown in detail in Figs. 3

4 and 5, to which attention is now called. Each support comprises relatively longitudinally orvertically movable elements 20 and 21. The lower element 20 is provided at its lower end with an enlarged base 22, preferably cas-t integral therewith. This base is preferably rigidly connected to one of the cross ties 11 by means of bolts 23 or the like. In practice, I have found it advantageous to preferably move every ninth cross tie outwardly six inches, more or less, as illustrated in Fig. 1, whereby the vertical adjustable support arranged at this point, may be secured thereto, as above indicated.

The upper vertically adjustable element 21, is preferably formed in two members or parts 24:, formed of suitably strong sheet or plate metal. The members 24' have their upper ends bent horizontally "in opposite'direo tions,providing. horizontal arms 25, carrying at their outer ends jaws 26, receiving and overlapping the basev of the ramp orrampsections, as shown. Insulating material'27 is interposed between the base of the rampor passes through longitudinally extending for receiving a nut 33, inWa-rdlyof which is preferably; arranged awasher 34,- as shown.

ramp-section and the members 2%, as shown. The contiguous faces of each lnner member 24, and each lower element 20 are preferably 5 provided with friction means, preferably in the form of horizontally arranged ribs or having a head 29, arranged within a' longitudinally extending recess 30. formed upon one face of the element 20, andv held by the a longitudinal side walls thereof against turning movement. The bolt 28 passes through a longitudinal slot 31 formed through the element 20, such slot having free communication with the recess 30. The bolt .28 also slots 32formed through thesmembers 24 and in registration with. each other and adapted for registration vvith the slot 31. .The-opposite end of the bolt 28 is screw-threaded,

' From the foregoing, it is-obvious that the ramp or: ramp-sections connected with the upper element 21, may be-accuratelyvertically adjusted by proper manipulation of the bolt 28 :and associate elements. After the adjustment, the .nut 33 is screwed up whereby the elements 20 and 21 are positively locked together. By removing the..nnt 33 the members 24: may be separated, or assembled to release orrreceive the base of the ramp-section, the bolt 28also serving to. retain these parts together so that they securely hold the ramp-sections in place.

My ramp or ramp-sections areparticularly well adapted for use in connection with mechanically operated and electrically controlled trainstopping or signaling apparatuses, such as are illustrated in my copending application for mechanically operated. electrica lly controlled train control system, filed 'July12, 1911, Serial No. 638,108.

Itiis. to, bennderstood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, 'size and r arrangement of: parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

fiaving described my invention, I claim 1. A ramp comprising elevating and lowering ramp-sections having their inner ends arranged in end to end relation and spaced a substantial distance, and a dead ramp-section interposed between the inner ends of .the elevating and lowering ramp-sections,

connected therewith, and insulated therefrom.

2. A longitudinally curved rampcomprising an elevating ramp-section over fifty feet long, a lowering ramp-section over fifty feet long arrangedin end to end relation to theffirstnamed ramp-section, and a dead ramp-section over ten feet long. arranged between, connected with, andinsulated: from the inner ends of the elevating and lowerlng ramp-sections.

A longitudinally curved ramp comprising anelevating ramp section approximately ninety feet long, a lowering rampsection appronimately sixty. feet long, and a .dead ramprsectionapproximately fifteen feet long, arranged between, connected with,-and

. insulated from the inner endsof the elevatr ll'lg and lowerlng ramp-sectlons.

4. 'A longitudinally curved ramp comprising an elevating ram-p-section over fifty feet long, a lowering ramp-section over fifty feet long arranged in end to end'relatlon to" the first named ramp-sect1on,- a dead ramp-section over tenfeet long, arranged between the inner *ends of the elevating and lowering ramp-sections, connected therewith,-and insulated therefrom, and dead ramp-sections over five feet long connected with the outer ends of the elevating and lowering ramp-sections.

. 5. A' ramp over- 100 feet longand curved longitudinally in a substantially vertical plane and comprising elevating and loweringramp sections disposed in end to'end .relation, the elevating. ramp section having a substantially greater lengththan the lowering ramp-section.

Ina testimony -whereof- I affix -mysignaturein presence oftWo witnesses.

WILEIAMZB. MURRAY.

Witnesses G. ROSSLWERTZ,

A. M. BUSHNELL.

copiesof this-patent may be obtained fonfive cents each, by addressing the (lommissioner otrPatents.

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